Caning of Charles Sumner
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The caning of Charles Sumner, or the Brooks–Sumner Affair, occurred on May 22, 1856, in the United States Senate chamber, when Representative Preston Brooks, a pro-slavery Democrat from South Carolina
Political caricature of the caning, depicting Sumner on the floor holding a pen and his "Crime against Kansas" speech as Brooks lunges at him
Representative Laurence M. Keitt advised Brooks and was with him when he assaulted Sumner
Representative Henry A. Edmundson also advised Brooks and was with him during the assault on Sumner
Remaining portion of Brooks' walking cane he used to attack Charles Sumner on exhibit at the Old State House in Boston
Gutta-percha
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Gutta-percha is a tree of the genus Palaquium in the family Sapotaceae, which is primarily used to create a high-quality latex of the same name. Most commonly sourced from Palaquium gutta, the materia
Caning of Charles Sumner
…calmly announced in a low voice. As Sumner began to stand up, Brooks beat Sumner severely on the head before he could reach his feet, using a thick gutta-percha cane with a gold head. The force of the blows so shocked Sumner that he lost his sight immediately. "I no longer saw my assailant, nor any other person…
Palaquium gutta
Gutta-percha tree
Cable manufacturing with gutta-percha at the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company in Greenwich, London, circa 1865
Members of a Kayan tribe in Borneo harvesting the sap of a gutta-percha tree c. 1910